1 Point Perspective

per·spec·tive
pərˈspektiv/

noun

1. Perspective is the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.

As in "a perspective drawing."

Would you like to listen to this definition read aloud?  Just copy and paste the above text into the form provided here.

vanishing Point
The point at which something that has been growing smaller or increasingly faint disappears altogether.

horizon line 
Horizon line/eye level refer to a physical/visual boundary where sky separates from land or water. It is the actual height of the viewer's eyes when looking at an object, interior scene, or an exterior scene.

orthogonal lines 
Orthogonal or receding lines lines are straight diagonal lines drawn to connect points around the edges of a picture to the vanishing point. They represent parallel lines receding into the distance and help draw the viewer's eye into the depth of the picture.

transversal lines
Transversal lines are imaginary lines that run parallel to the picture plane and perpendicular to the orthogonal lines; transversal lines establish a fixed height or width between two orthogonal lines

eye level  
Level with a person's eyes when looking straight ahead

converge or converging 
To tend or move toward one point or one another; come together: meet (converging paths)

Download the full PowerPoint presentation (43.33MB) from my Dropbox here in order to play the complete PowerPoint including embedded audio.

  

1-point perspective exists in real life! It exists in nature, and once someone figured it out (cough) Filippo Brunelleschi (cough) during the Renaissance, we were able to use it to create realistic 3-dimensional drawings, paintings, and designs in 2-D (on paper)! 

 

In this video, I will teach you how to identify orthogonal lines, which point to your vanishing point, and will show you a) how to find the vanishing point and b) how to find your horizon line. Transversal lines are also covered, but these are the two most important steps in learning how to identify and use one-point perspective!! :)

After completing this presentation, head over to the next two resources:  Written Tutorial and the Video Tutorial. 

After previewing the resources, get your pencil, paper, ruler and eraser out and try to render the drawing!  You can make some rough drafts and then try a final draft once you understand the concept and how to use it.